All clematis varieties do well in moisture-retentive soil, so prepare a deep planting hole.

You will need

Spade

Garden compost or well-rotted manure

Tiles or stones

Soft twine or alternative plant ties

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Total time:

30 minutes

Step 1

All clematis varieties do well in moisture-retentive soil, so prepare a deep planting hole and add a bucket of garden compost or well-rotted manure. Mix this thoroughly into the soil.

Step 2

Position your clematis in the hole, so that the rootball’s top is level with the soil surface, or 6cm below for large-flowered types (pruning group three). Remove lower leaves, fill around the roots with soil and firm down.

Step 3

Water plants thoroughly after planting and every two weeks in the first three months. Cover the soil surface around the plant base with tiles or stones to keep the roots cool and moist – something clematis enjoy.

Step 4

Tie in the new stems regularly using soft twine or foam-covered twist ties. Take care not to break the stems and space them evenly to maximise coverage over their supports.

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Clematis pruning groups explained

Pruning group one – no pruning required. Can be pruned to tidy them up which is carried out straight after flowering

Pruning group two – some pruning required. Prune in February by removing dead, damaged and diseased growth. Trim other stems to just above the strongest and highest pair of buds

Pruning group three – hard pruning required. Cut right back in spring before growth begins, pruning to just above a healthy bud, about 30cm from the soil